The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has uncovered plans by some unscrupulous elements to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than tramadol and heroin, into the Nigerian market.

The NDLEA warned that the illicitly manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.

In a statement, the anti-narcotics agency said every step must be taken to ensure that the drug, which is currently responsible for over 70 percent overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the United States, is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria.

According to the agency, symptoms for fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.

The agency assured the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health with a view to frustrate their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.